Getting a lease extension has protected the value of my property

PROSPECT EAST PENTHOUSE PROVES PERFECT FAMILY PAD

Breaking convention from the traditional family home, Brian Leong (36), Miao Xing (34) and their son, Galvin (4), have everything they need for modern family living in their new penthouse at Prospect East, Stratford.

Recently named one of the top five hotspots for the fastest-selling properties in the UK, homes in Dartford typically take just 16 days to sell1. This incredibly quick turnover rate not only limits opportunities to purchase within Dartford, but makes finding an affordable home in this area even harder.

Cause for celebration – Stephen and Kirsty cheers to a new Shared Ownership home in Canada Water

Like most long-term renters, Stephen & Kirsty had pushed the idea of purchasing their first home to the back of their minds as they didn't have enough savings. They'd never dreamt of being able to afford buying on the open market- especially in London.

We thought we would be renting forever

Queensland Road, a landmark development on a former industrial site adjacent to the Emirates Stadium, is the last part of Newlon Housing Trust's housing to be completed as part of the Arsenal Regeneration Area – one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe. Two of the new residents share their story.

AFFORDABLE HOMES LAUNCH IN POPULAR SIDCUP

Hyde New Homes is delighted to announce the upcoming launch of two and three bedroom Shared Ownership apartments at its latest development, Queen Mary's Village. The scheme includes a collection of 42 homes within a flourishing village community, tucked away in the old Queen Mary's Hospital grounds in the suburb of Sidcup.

'Now I have a flat of my own, in an area I love'

Despite spending six years saving up for a deposit, Victoria Moffett, 33, started to lose faith in her prospects of owning a home of her own in London. She said: "I had been looking on the open market for some time but stopped my search altogether because I found it too stressful - the only places I could afford were not the kind of places I wanted to live."

BRIGHTON-BRED CITY WORKER GETS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS WITH NEW SEASIDE PAD

The current property climate and its progressively escalating deposit expectations are making it increasingly more difficult for first time buyers to be able to purchase their dream home within their desired location1. This is especially true for those first time buyers who work in London, yet want to remain in the place they love and grew up in.

Buying through shared ownership has given us a foot up on the ladder

Shared ownership helped me go it alone

Having rented a flat in trendy east London for 12 years, Nicola Penny, 37, wasn't ready to trade in the London lifestyle in order to get on the housing ladder. She said: "Realistically on my current salary I knew that I couldn't afford to buy a home of my own in Zones 2 or 3, which are the areas of the capital I really wanted to live in." So Nicola decided to turn to shared ownership.

'Living with my parents for three years helped us to save for a deposit'

Around one in ten adults aged over 30 are sharing a home with their parents as a result of steep house prices and soaring rents. One couple who did just that but used it as a stepping stone on to the property ladder was Kayleigh and Gene Daveta.

SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES RELEASED IN DESIRABLE ISLINGTON

Hyde New Homes will launch the next Shared Ownership phase of The Batten development in September 2016. The popular canal-side development is based in the heart of Islington and it is the latest addition to Packington Square, a regeneration area that is already the home of a flourishing community.

'We have upgraded from a two bed to a family home'

For five years, Emma and Tommy Hearn lived in a two-bedroom shared ownership house which they had bought through a housing association. In that time they gained enough equity in their home to be able to move to their dream family home in Dunmow, Essex.

'We didn't think it would be possible until we were much older'

With the average age for first time buyers now standing at around 30 years old, it's easy to understand why many young couples feel disillusioned with the housing market. However, one couple from Tonbridge have shown that with the help of shared ownership you needn't wait to get on the housing ladder.

We never believed we would be able to buy a home in London

The average price of homes in London has almost doubled to £600,625 since 2009 so it is not surprising that most potential house hunters believe there is limited possibility of getting on the property ladder.

Shared Ownership has allowed us to get a better quality home

With the average rent for new tenancies in London reaching an all-time high of £1,563 per calendar month in May 2016, it's no surprise that the option to buy through Shared Ownership is becoming much more appealing.

OWNERS OF THEIR OWN HOUSING DESTINY

According to the 2015 Generation Rent Report by Halifax, young people in the UK are losing hope of owning their own home. Two Londoners have joined forces to purchase their first home and escape the never-ending cycle of Generation Rent.

the perfect time to be independent

East Thames were so helpful with my lease extension

Geoffrey Cordell, 63, who works in international development, had been living in Suffolk for many years but was keen to relocate to London. He wanted to find a property which had been well looked after and was secure as he travels regularly with work.

SECOND STEPS HELPS FAMILY ON NEXT RUNG OF PROPERTY LADDER

Laying foundations in Greenwich

The pitter-patter of tiny feet brought with it a moment of realisation for Lee and Michelle: It was time to buy a home. After six years spent renting a two bedroom property in Charlton, South London, they knew it was time to set up a more secure future for their family.

Realising the 'Peninsula Dream'

Errol and Antonio are the proud owners of a brand new apartment at Greenwich Peninsula, purchased through shared ownership with Moat. Following years of renting privately, the couple decided that it was time to set down roots and find a place that they could really call home.

Ben Andrew Interview

My experience was good and it all happened very quickly – it only took a month and a half in total. Southern Home Ownership, in particular, were brilliant. They were easy to contact and easy to deal with.

A place to put down roots - Joao, Tomomi, and their children love their spacious Shared Ownership home

Tomomi and Joao had lived in Bermondsey for ten years and started their family there, but as the area became increasingly fashionable rents went up and the couple assumed they would be forced out. Now they are settled into a brand new four bedroom apartment by L&Q close to Elephant and Castle and London Bridge stations.

SHARED OWNERSHIP IS HOME OWNERSHIP LIFELINE FOR NURSE CHARLOTTE

Nurse, Charlotte Woodard, 25, discovered that she could still own a property in the location she wanted, close to family and friends by choosing the Shared Ownership scheme at Guinness Homes' Albany Court development, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

SHARED OWNERSHIP HELPS FIRST TIME BUYER OUT OF PARENTS' HOME AND INTO HER OWN

The 29-year-old wanted to live in London, but the high property values left her priced out of the market. She and her partner decided to move in with his parents outside of the capital to save for a deposit, even though the distance meant they were missing out on the city lifestyle they craved. When a friend recommended Shared Ownership, and Chloe discovered Notting Hill Sales' Rathbone Market in Canning Town, E16, she knew she had found her way out of their parents' pockets and onto the property ladder.

COUPLE BUY NEW SHARED OWNERSHIP HOME BY THE SEA THAT IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

After renting and living with parents in order to save for his deposit, Darren looked to Shared Ownership so that he and his girlfriend, Kelly Wager, 33 could realise their dreams of owning their own home. The pair discovered that they could buy in the location they wanted by choosing the Shared Ownership scheme at Guinness Homes' Albany Court development, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Caroline Mackenzie Interview

"It means I can have a much bigger property. It's been really, really good and I'm extremely pleased. Although I was in a position to buy, I would not have been able to get the size of property I wanted. "

Shared Ownership gives you so many options

Most people aspire to owning their own home, but in reality it is becoming increasingly hard to fulfil this dream. For one family, Jeminy and Gary Jackson and her two sons, they have been fortunate to use Shared Ownership and then staircase to own 100% of their property.

Jade Holmes Interview

LONDON STAIRCASER CLIMBS THE SHARED OWNERSHIP LADDER

The availability of Shared Ownership was crucial for Mohammed, as it allowed him to get on the property ladder without having to move away from the area of London he grew up in. Last year, he purchased an additional share in his home, and plans to use the equity he has built up, to move up the ladder again in a few years' time.

SHARED OWNERSHIP HELPS FAMILY BACK ONTO THE LADDER IN ENFIELD

When Rachel's mum spotted the homes at Notting Hill Sales' Bowles Square development in Enfield, and saw that they were available with Shared Ownership, just one mile from where Rachel and daughters Jasmine, 22, and Emilia, 3, were already living, the 44-year-old made an appointment to view straight away.

HOW TO BUILD EQUITY WITHOUT OWNING A PROPERTY OUTRIGHT

A new spin on Home Ownership

When he’s not spinning decks as a DJ in his spare time, local Nottingham resident Jack and his partner Emma are kicking back, relaxing in their brand new, two-bedroom home at Hollygate Park in Cotgrave. The couple recently moved into their new home after making the purchase through Shared Ownership – the affordable way
to own.